In Palghar village, children risk their lives crossing railway tracks to school

A ground report by Mumbai Tak from Wadhiv found students, parents and residents raising concerns over the lack of a safe road connecting the village to the outside world.Students said they live with the fear of a train approaching while they cross the tracks, but continue to take the route because there is no safe alternative. Students and residents of Wadhiv village in Maharashtra’s Palghar district are being forced to cross railway tracks to get in and out of the village, with schoolchildren making the dangerous journey every day to attend classes.The plight of the village, which has a population of more than 4,000, came to light after student Sohil Chaudhary recorded a video showing residents and students using the railway tracks and a railway bridge as a route out of the village. The video has since gone viral on social media.A ground report by Mumbai Tak from Wadhiv found students, parents and residents raising concerns over the lack of a safe road connecting the village to the outside world.‘WE’RE SCARED WHEN TRAINS COME'Sohil said students have no option but to cross the railway tracks on their way to school. “We have to cross the railway tracks every day to go to school. We are very scared when a train comes. Our lives are at risk,” a student said, appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene and ensure a safe road is built.Students said they live with the fear of a train approaching while they cross the tracks, but continue to take the route because there is no safe alternative. For parents, the daily journey has become a source of constant anxiety.One mother broke down while speaking about her child’s commute to school. “There is always a fear in my mind whether my child will return safely after going to school,” she said.Parents said education is important, but they should not have to worry about whether their children will make it home safely each day.MEDICAL EMERGENCIES POSE ANOTHER CHALLENGEThe lack of a proper road is not just affecting schoolchildren. Residents said getting patients to hospitals during emergencies can also become a struggle, particularly at night.According to villagers, 28-year-old Vishal Patil suffered a heart attack a few months ago. With no proper road to take him out of the village, residents had to carry him in a makeshift sling across the railway tracks to seek medical treatment. They said the ordeal lasted around half an hour.Residents also claimed ambulances face difficulty reaching the village, potentially delaying treatment during medical emergencies.Villagers claimed that 22 people have died after being hit by trains while crossing the tracks and that another 20 died allegedly because they could not receive timely medical treatment. These figures could not be independently verified and await confirmation from the railway authorities and local administration.‘WHY CAN’T OUR VILLAGE GET A SAFE ROAD?’The situation has sparked frustration among residents, particularly as several major infrastructure projects are being developed in the region, including the Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.The government has also spoken of developing Palghar as a major growth centre, with the district being projected as the ‘fourth Mumbai’. Against that backdrop, residents are questioning why a village of more than 4,000 people still lacks a safe road.“We are happy that big development projects are being built in the country. But why should our children have to risk their lives to go to school?” villagers asked.Residents also expressed anger at elected representatives, alleging that their concerns are heard mainly during elections.“Representatives come to us asking for votes during elections and promise to solve our problems. Once the elections are over, nobody comes to see our situation,” villagers said.They have now threatened to boycott the upcoming elections if their demand for a safe road is not addressed.MLA SAYS ISSUE RAISED 3 TIMESShiv Sena MLA Vilas Tare, who represents the Boisar Assembly constituency, said he has written to the authorities three times regarding the issue.Residents, however, said they no longer want assurances or correspondence with government departments. They want work to begin on the ground.The villagers are demanding a permanent road, along with a safe bridge or alternative route across the Vaitarna creek, so that ambulances and other emergency vehicles can reach the village directly.For years, residents have had to use the railway tracks as a route to the outside world. Now, a video made by a school student has once again put their struggle in the spotlight. Their message to the authorities is clear: they want a safe road, not another promise.- Ends(Inputs by Mohammad Hussain Khan)Published On: Aug 24, 2026 19:09 IST